Discussions
Reply to: (Official discussion) Emergency preparedness checklist: Prepping for beginners Posted March 25, 2020

Mylar has a few characteristics that make it both useful and problematic as a blanket material.  It holds static electricity so things cling to it like dust lint etc.,.  It is waterproof, so it can be a shelter from rain or sleet.  However, when used alone as a blanket, mylar does not breathe so any moisture produced by your body will be trapped.  If it’s cold, that moisture can lead to hypothermia- when you’re wet, heat is dissipated much more quickly from your body.  If you are clothed or have a cloth (wool or polartec or down is best) blanket, use the mylar as an additional outer cover.  You can leave part of the mylar open so it breathes rather than building up moisture underneath.  i recommend the double strength mylar with one side mirror finish and the other safety orange.  There are also mylar “sleeping bags” that can provide a quick warm up, but again, moisture build-up can be a problem.  I honestly don’t know how flammable mylar is, but keeping it away from open flame is a must.  Despite these drawbacks, mylar is a cheap, lightweight essential for any bug out bag.

Reply to: [Official discussion] Total beginners guide to guns Posted March 23, 2020

I believe it is critical to indoctrinate those new to firearms with the principal of how easy it is to place the trajectory of the barrel in line with people or things you have no intention of destroying or killing.  The safest way to accomplish this is the use of a dummy firearm.  These realistic looking “fake guns” have the same feel and weight as actual firearms but cannot accept ammunition and are disabled or solid steel or plastic.  Simply insert a brightly colored dowel down the barrel and secure it with tape.  The trainee is then handed the dummy gun and instructed to not allow the dowel to cross over anyone or anything they do not wish to destroy.  It will amaze you how often they “sweep” the dowel (simulating the path of a bullet) across a person or object without realizing it.  This drill can also be accomplished with the use of a laser targeting beam attached to a dummy gun.  As part of the drill, have trainees walk or move around into different rooms or environments without the dowel or beam toughing or sweeping across a fellow trainee.  This drill should be continued over several sessions before handling actual firearms.  This of course is my personal opinion (I do not consider myself a firearms expert and do not teach) and some experts may differ in their techniques.

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Reply to: (Official discussion) Emergency preparedness checklist: Prepping for beginners Posted March 25, 2020

Mylar has a few characteristics that make it both useful and problematic as a blanket material.  It holds static electricity so things cling to it like dust lint etc.,.  It is waterproof, so it can be a shelter from rain or sleet.  However, when used alone as a blanket, mylar does not breathe so any moisture produced by your body will be trapped.  If it’s cold, that moisture can lead to hypothermia- when you’re wet, heat is dissipated much more quickly from your body.  If you are clothed or have a cloth (wool or polartec or down is best) blanket, use the mylar as an additional outer cover.  You can leave part of the mylar open so it breathes rather than building up moisture underneath.  i recommend the double strength mylar with one side mirror finish and the other safety orange.  There are also mylar “sleeping bags” that can provide a quick warm up, but again, moisture build-up can be a problem.  I honestly don’t know how flammable mylar is, but keeping it away from open flame is a must.  Despite these drawbacks, mylar is a cheap, lightweight essential for any bug out bag.

Reply to: [Official discussion] Total beginners guide to guns Posted March 23, 2020

I believe it is critical to indoctrinate those new to firearms with the principal of how easy it is to place the trajectory of the barrel in line with people or things you have no intention of destroying or killing.  The safest way to accomplish this is the use of a dummy firearm.  These realistic looking “fake guns” have the same feel and weight as actual firearms but cannot accept ammunition and are disabled or solid steel or plastic.  Simply insert a brightly colored dowel down the barrel and secure it with tape.  The trainee is then handed the dummy gun and instructed to not allow the dowel to cross over anyone or anything they do not wish to destroy.  It will amaze you how often they “sweep” the dowel (simulating the path of a bullet) across a person or object without realizing it.  This drill can also be accomplished with the use of a laser targeting beam attached to a dummy gun.  As part of the drill, have trainees walk or move around into different rooms or environments without the dowel or beam toughing or sweeping across a fellow trainee.  This drill should be continued over several sessions before handling actual firearms.  This of course is my personal opinion (I do not consider myself a firearms expert and do not teach) and some experts may differ in their techniques.